As soccer fans worldwide gear up for the FIFA World Cup 2026, a burning question remains: could streaming giants like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video secure broadcasting rights for the tournament? While the short answer for 2026 is “not yet,” the bigger picture suggests that these platforms are inching closer to becoming major players in live sports, with recent developments in women’s soccer leading the charge.

In Canada, the exclusive broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 belong to Bell Media, ensuring that matches will be available on TSN, CTV, and their respective digital platforms. However, recent partnerships between FIFA and Netflix are setting the stage for a potentially transformative era in sports broadcasting.

Netflix and FIFA’s Groundbreaking Collaboration

Although Netflix will not stream the men’s FIFA World Cup 2026, the platform has already made history by securing exclusive broadcasting rights in the United States for the 2027 and 2031 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™. This marks the first time Netflix has acquired full audiovisual rights for a sports tournament, reflecting the growing prominence of women’s soccer and the increasing willingness of streaming services to invest in live sports.

“This agreement clearly shows the value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and global women’s soccer,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Netflix will not only broadcast the tournaments but also produce exclusive docuseries leading up to both events, spotlighting the world’s top players and the growth of women’s soccer globally.

The partnership is a significant step in showcasing the FIFA Women’s World Cup as the premier single-discipline women’s sports event on the planet. It also represents a strategic push to elevate the tournament’s reach and appeal in the U.S., particularly through bilingual broadcasts in English and Spanish.

The Status of FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcasting

Despite Netflix’s landmark deal with FIFA for the Women’s World Cup, the rights to the men’s FIFA World Cup 2026 remain firmly in the hands of traditional broadcasters. In Canada, Bell Media has secured exclusive rights, while in the United States, FOX Sports and Telemundo will broadcast in English and Spanish, respectively.

For now, these deals underline FIFA’s reliance on legacy broadcasters to handle the logistical challenges and vast audiences of the men’s tournament. The 2026 edition, set to be the largest in history with 48 teams, will take place across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, requiring a highly coordinated broadcasting infrastructure.

Why Netflix and Prime Video Aren’t There Yet

While Netflix’s move into women’s soccer marks a significant milestone, acquiring the rights to the men’s FIFA World Cup presents unique challenges. The cost is one of the most significant barriers—broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. were valued at over $1 billion when FOX and Telemundo secured their deals. Moreover, FIFA prioritizes partners with proven expertise in live sports broadcasting, a domain where streaming platforms are still playing catch-up.

Amazon Prime Video, for instance, has made strides with its coverage of the NFL and English Premier League, but scaling up for a global event like the World Cup involves tackling issues like latency, audience capacity, and licensing across multiple regions.

The Future of Soccer Streaming

The collaboration between FIFA and Netflix for the Women’s World Cup suggests a shifting tide in how global tournaments might be broadcast in the future. Netflix’s involvement highlights the growing value of women’s soccer and its potential to lead innovation in sports media.

For the men’s game, however, 2026 will remain the domain of traditional networks and hybrid broadcasters. In Canada, Bell Media’s platforms will be the go-to destination for every goal and highlight. Yet, as streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video refine their live sports strategies, it’s only a matter of time before we see them enter the bidding wars for the men’s World Cup.

Gianni Infantino summarized it best: “This partnership with Netflix marks a historic moment for sports broadcasting and women’s soccer.” Whether this is a glimpse into the future of the men’s game remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—streaming platforms are no longer on the sidelines.